Further Reading on Cacao & Agroforestry
World Agroforestry (ICRAF) – Overview of how agroforestry works and why it matters.
Read more →Agroforestry & Cocoa: Rainforest Alliance – How agroforestry helps cacao farming communities adapt to climate change.
Read more →
Cacao and Agroforestry
Cacao is more than a crop, it’s part of an ecosystem. In many parts of the world, cacao is grown not in vast plantations, but in agroforestry systems: biodiverse environments where cacao trees share space with bananas, coffee, timber trees, and native plants.
Agroforestry is a way of farming that combines trees, shrubs, and crops in the same space. Instead of clearing land to grow a single product, farmers create a layered system that mimics the natural forest.
For cacao, this means:
Shade trees protect cacao from harsh sun and help retain moisture.
Companion crops like bananas and coffee provide extra income and food security for farming families.
Biodiversity is preserved, giving space for birds, insects, and other wildlife to thrive.
Soil health is improved by natural leaf litter and root systems, reducing the need for chemical fertilisers.
Why It Matters for Chocolate
Agroforestry shapes the flavour of cacao. Cacao grown under shade often develops more complex, balanced flavours, thanks to slower ripening and healthier soilsIt also supports farming communities by offering resilience: if one crop fails, others can sustain income and food supplies.
Agroforestry and Our Chocolate
Our Uganda Bukonzo 100% bar comes from cacao grown in agroforestry systems in the Rwenzori Mountains. Here, cacao trees grow alongside bananas and other forest species - a reminder that chocolate can be a story of interconnection and sustainability, not just indulgence.